News

Renovations edge closer to completion at St. Joseph’s Hospital as the final structural beam was raised at the construction site for the expanded emergency department. A ceremony was held Thursday, Aug. 25, 2016, as the steel beam was raised and put in place.

St. Joseph’s/Candler President & CEO Paul P. Hinchey, Father Joe Smith and J.E. Dunn’s Walter Murphy spoke during the approximately 30-minute ceremony. Also in attendance were members of the St. Joseph’s/Candler Board of Trustees, hospital directors and co-workers, Sisters of Mercy and other community members. Father Smith led a prayer blessing as the beam was raised and put in place. Two loud horns sounded symbolizing the final beam’s placement.

A day earlier, St. Joseph’s/Candler co-workers, board of trustees members, Sisters of Mercy and others signed the beam. Hundreds of signatures filled the beam.

During Thursday’s ceremony, Mr. Hinchey thanked numerous people, including the construction crew, foreman and superintendents with J.E. Dunn; the St. Joseph’s/Candler Board of Trustees, nursing and physician staffs and directors; Sisters of Mercy and many others.

Construction on the expansion began in February 2016. Phase 1, the day surgery lobby, will be complete in December. The new emergency department expansion is expected to be finished in February 2017, and the renovation of the existing ED should be wrapped up by July 2017. In total, there will be an additional 17,000 square feet plus a 14,000-square-foot renovation inside.